With no apparent spot on Brewers' roster, veteran catcher Erik Kratz awaits to hear his fate

Teammates lineup in the Brewers dugout to congratulate Erik Kratz after his two-run blast against the Giants.(Photo: Roy Dabner, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

PHOENIX – These are uncertain times for Erik Kratz, a situation made only slightly better by an open line of communication with the Milwaukee Brewers’ decision-makers.

Kratz, 38, a veteran catcher who played a key role in the team’s surge to within one game of the World Series in 2018, currently is No. 3 on the depth chart at that position, behind Yasmani Grandal and Manny Piña. That’s a problematic position because the Brewers will keep only two catchers at the end of spring training.

Making the situation even more interesting, Kratz has a $1.2 million contract ($300,000 guaranteed) and is out of minor-league options. To get him to the minors, the Brewers would have to place him on waivers, allowing any of the other 29 teams to claim him.

With catching being in somewhat short supply and Kratz showing he has plenty left in his gas tank, there is a good chance he would end up with another club. That would be good for the player but not so much the organization.

“Nothing has really changed,” said Kratz, who came to the Brewers in a deal with the New York Yankees last May. “I’m still in the same spot. It’s something we continue to evaluate. My family has their flight home; they have to get back to school. So, we’ll see what happens.

“They’ve been very open about it. They’ve been very professional about the whole thing, and up front and honest. That’s what you hope for. It’s cool that they’ve been honest with me and forthcoming about a lot of stuff. It’s nice.”

Brewers general manager David Stearns thought it best to keep Kratz abreast of what the club is thinking, in large part out of respect for the contributions he made last season, offensively and behind the plate. That includes any interest from other teams, because in the end, the Brewers might decide it best to get something for Kratz rather than lose him through waivers.

“We’ve tried to keep him posted on what’s going on,” Stearns said. “Obviously, those conversations will continue as we get to the end of camp. It’s a balance between trying to preserve your injury insurance and trying to assess the market and what’s out there. We’ll continue to balance that, but I imagine that resolution will happen close to the end of camp.

“We are sensitive to doing right by the player. There are different types of opportunities, I would say. There is an opportunity to compete, there is an opportunity to be on a team, there is an opportunity to go to Triple-A. We’re sensitive to different levels of those opportunities.”

Kratz’s overall numbers -- .236, six homers, 23 RBI in 67 games – were not eye-popping but he delivered in the clutch several times and was a real force in the NLDS sweep of Colorado, with five hits in eight at-bats (.625) with two RBI.

“He played a really big role last year,” manager Craig Counsell said. “And he earned that. When we traded for him, it was to be a backup. But he earned a bigger role and made a really sizable contribution in the season. Erik swung the bat really well in the playoffs, had some big games.”

Kratz has mixed feelings about the situation. Every player wants to be in the big leagues, so if that means going to another team, so be it. But his first preference is to stay with the Brewers, a close-knit bunch in which he became a perfect fit last season.

“The hardest part (about the uncertainty) is the guys in the locker room,” Kratz said. “I love these guys. They are my brothers. We went out and fought last year together.

“The hard part is maybe not quite feeling a part of all of it right now but still being ready to be part of it. It’s a hard thing to explain. Ultimately, the Brewers are looking to accomplish something as an organization. We want to win World Series. They’re not necessarily going to do what’s best for each guy if it affects the organization.

“If they didn’t think I was a good player, I wouldn’t even be here. It’s maybe a Catch-22. That day is approaching, as the beginning of the season is approaching. They have to make a decision on that day.”